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Brisa Alfaro is the Owner of Studio B Salon, a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon in Apple Valley, Calif., and a Young Nails Inc. Senior Educator. In late March, Brisa had a brain aneurysm while traveling from Los Angeles to New York for work. She is currently being cared for at a New York City Hospital and her doctors have said she is very lucky to have survived. For those that don't know her, Brisa is a strong person and a fighter, but she has a long road to recovery ahead of her. Her family is now waiting to find out when Brisa will be given the go-ahead to return to Los Angeles, via medical air transport, to continue her care on the west coast. To help alleviate the costs associated with Brisa's care, the family has set up a donation fund has at Wells Fargo Bank: The account number is 5718735003 and donations a can be made at ANY Wells Fargo Bank. All donations will help pay for Brisa's mounting medical bills,

Brisa and the Alfaro family cannot fully express what your donation means to them, but offer a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for your help and continuing support during this unexpected health crisis.

OPI Products Inc. has announced the transition of Suzi Weiss-Fischmann from OPI Co-Founder & Executive VP to OPI Consultant. Known worldwide as “The First Lady of Nails” for over 31 years, she will remain OPI’s creative inspiration and brand ambassador for journalists and clients. Suzi’s new role is effective July 1.
“My fascination with beauty began at an early age, and my journey has been a dream come true,” said Weiss-Fischmann. “I have witnessed OPI’s successful evolution in becoming the world leader in professional nail care. Now, more than ever, is the time for nails and I am excited to continue to share my expertise with nail fans across the world!”

In 1989, Weiss-Fischmann began to make nails not only relevant, but exciting and fun when she created the first thirty OPI colors. She has since created over 400 shades of nail lacquer. Suzi has been featured in numerous magazines, such as W, More, and Family Circle as well as on Today Show (NBC) and Nightline (ABC).

“Suzi is a living legend in the business,” said Renato Semerari, President, Coty Beauty. “Her creativity and passion led to numerous collaborative partnerships and unique nail color names and shades that women around the world identify with. I want to thank Suzi for her contributions in making OPI the illustrious brand it is today.”

Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Ltd., manufacturer of jane iredale – THE SKIN CARE MAKEUP, recently unveiled its new product packaging as well as a new logo treatment. Characterized by a fresh layout, inviting colors and textures, integrated QR code technology, and environmentally responsible materials, the packaging symbolizes the brand’s bright future and complements its 20th Anniversary this year.

“We’ve designed our new packaging to be clear, distinct, consistent and engaging, and are excited to begin our 20th anniversary year with a refreshing new look,” says Sarah Steven, Vice President, Marketing for jane iredale. “While they may not realize it at the time, consumers actively evaluate packages on shelves in seconds. Our new packaging conveys our brand story with consumers through colors that represent the vibrancy and purity of nature, and special touches that emphasize the value and quality of our products.”

The new packaging uses clean, bright, optimistic colors to capture the essence, mood, and feeling of the jane iredale brand. Coincidentally, one of the colors chosen for the logo is Radiant Orchid, which has since been named Pantone Color of the Year for 2014. The soft gray chosen for the font is more feminine than the ubiquitous black typeface seen on most makeup boxes, and the embossed treatment of the logo and soft touch of the carton add textural elements that pop from the shelf and feel luxurious in the hand.

Creatively placed QR codes are featured on the inside flap of each carton. When scanned, the QR codes direct users to a jane iredale application video demonstrating how to apply that particular product.

“Beauty is the second most-watched category on YouTube, and sharing videos through packaging is just one way to further engage with and educate consumers,” says Steven.

Reflecting the brand’s commitment to the environment, the paper used is fully recyclable and sourced from renewable resources. The ink uses natural tree resin systems and vegetable oils to reduce volatile organic compounds by over 75 percent, while also being UV curable, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact.

The Leaping Bunny logo, the leading animal protection group for cruelty-free certification, appears on every carton and certifies jane iredale as cruelty-free - not allowing for any animal testing at any stage of product development.

The new packaging began its roll out in March 2014, starting with core foundations and the new Magic Hour collection.

The Noel Asmar Group recently announced the hire of Craig McGlynn to the position of Vice President of Sales and ECommerce. Craig has recently spent 3 years in management positions at Amazon.com, both on the gift card dream and the associates team. In addition, he has a background in sales to the hotel industry, which is highly relevant to the hospitality sectors serviced by the Noel Asmar Group.

"To support our fast and exciting growth, we continue to hire the right people to usher us into the next phase of our corporate plan," says designer and founder Noel Asmar. "Adding top tier talent allows us to continue to create uniforms and lifestyle apparel to serve our amazing customers in their pursuit of career, health, wellness, and recreation."

Craig added, "I have watched this amazing brand develop since its inception 12 years ago, and I am so proud to be a part of the next phase of growth and join the talented team assembled by Noel. We promise to continue to surprise and delight our customers for years to come."

The ISPA Innovate Awards recognize ISPA members who have created and successfully implemented an innovative business practice, experience or product.

This year the awards will take a new format! The innovate Award recipients will be recognized in three different categories: business practices, experiences and products. Submissions will be reviewed by a group of ISPA leaders and finalists distributed to the ISPA membership for voting. The five applicants receiving the most peer votes in each category will be awarded an ISPA Innovate Award and will be recognized during a General Session. Selected recipients will not be required to present during an ISPA Innovate Session to be eligible

Applications will be accepted until May 30, 2014. For more information or to apply online click HERE!

Skin requires protection against damaging UV rays every day, not just when basking at the beach or snowplowing down a brilliantly reflective ski-slope. Encouraging consumers to be mindful of preventing sun damage as an everyday health practice, Dermalogica introduces New Protection 50 Sport SPF50 with Oleosome technology, and a newly repackaged After Sun Repair. Both sun-care products, which can be used for both face and body, are part of Dermalogica’s Daylight Defense system, developed for everyday protection against detrimental solar exposure.

New Protection 50 Sport SPF50 is a broad-spectrum sunscreen which utilizes lipid-rich Oleosome microspheres that boost sun protection (SPF50!) and antioxidants to help defend the skin. The formula includes licorice extract to soothe irritation from UV exposure, while hyaluronic acid bonds moisture to the skin without greasiness. This new product is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes and is a must-have for extreme sport enthusiasts who are frequently practicing and attending sporting events outside. Protection 50 Sport SPF50 can be used for both face and body, making sunscreen protection easy for busy people on the go.

After Sun Repair instantly reduces redness and cools sunburned skin with chamomile, clove, cucumber, Szechwan pepper, lavender and yucca. This soothing balm also contains extracts of Japanese Alder which scavenges free radicals and accelerates the repair of UV-induced DNA damage after sun exposure.

The suggested retail price for Protection 50 Sport SPF50 5.3oz is $32 and After Sun Repair 3.4oz is $32. Both products will launch at Dermalogica authorized skin centers, spas and salons across the U.S. starting in April, 2014.

Is education the same in every country? Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish unites nail professionals with a new video series called “World Class Nails”, eight webisodes that bring together five global Gelish Deans of Education. Throughout the season, the experts team up to answer fans’ questions about Gelish product and proper application, share their newest design inspirations, and give easy tips for nail art success.

“Education is the key. Through education nail technicians can continue to expand their talent and develop their design techniques,” says Danny Haile, CEO of Gelish. “The forum was inspired by my experience teaching classes internationally and the way that nails transcend borders.”